Alexander van Geen
Founder
Community Soil-lead Screening;
Research Professor
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Geochemist Lex van Geen coordinates earth-science and mitigation activities under Columbia’s Superfund Research Program on the health effects and geochemistry of arsenic contained in US and Bangladesh groundwater. He also studies ways of reducing child exposure to lead contained in contaminated soil, water, and paint. Van Geen is a firm believer in the more widespread use of field kits by non-specialists to reduce exposure to environmental toxicants, particularly in developing countries. He holds a Lamont Research Professor appointment, is a member of the faculty of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers.